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You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.

Some people don’t understand what an important figure Elijah is in the Old Testament. He raised people from the dead; ascended bodily into heaven; and his return was prophesied as the forerunner to the Messiah. Here he is, standing at the entrance to the cave where he’s taken refuge from God’s enemies. (artist unknown)

Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

INVITATORY AND PSALTER

Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalm 95:1-7Venite

Come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving;
and raise to the Lord a shout with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God;
you are great above all gods.
In your hand are the caverns of the earth;
and the heights of the hills are yours also.
The sea is yours, for you made it,
and your hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down and bend the knee,
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For you are our God,
and we are the people of your pasture, and the sheep of your hand.
Oh, that today we would hearken to your voice!

Psalm 68

O God, arise, and let your enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate you flee before you.
Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire,
so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *
let them also be merry and joyful.
Sing to God, sing praises to God’s Name;
exalt the One who rides upon the heavens; *
The Name of our God is the LORD; rejoice before the LORD!
Defender of widows, father of orphans, *
God in heaven’s holy habitation!
God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.
O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,
The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.
Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
The Lord gave the word; *
great was the company of women who bore the tidings:
“Kings with their armies are fleeing away; *
the women at home are dividing the spoils.”
Though you lingered among the sheepfolds, *
you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver,
whose feathers are like green gold.
When the Almighty scattered kings, *
it was like snow falling in Zalmon.
O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan! *
O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!
Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain,
at the hill which God chose to rest? *
truly the LORD will dwell there for ever.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
even thousands of thousands; *
the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.
You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;
you have received gifts even from your enemies, *
that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Blessed be the Lord day by day, *
the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.
You are our God, the God of our salvation; *
God is the LORD, by whom we escape death.

You, O God, shall crush the heads of your enemies, *
and the hairy scalp of those who go on still in their wickedness.
The Lord has said, “I will bring them back from Bashan; *
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
That your foot may be dipped in blood, *
the tongues of your dogs in the blood of your enemies.”

They see your procession, O God, *
your procession into the sanctuary, my Sovereign and my God.
The singers go before, musicians follow after, *
in the midst of the maidens playing upon the hand-drums.
Bless God in the congregation; *
bless the LORD, you that are of the fountain of Israel.
There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head;
the princes of Judah in a company; *
and the princes of Zebulon and Naphtali.
Send forth your strength, O God; *
establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.
Rulers shall bring gifts to you, *
for your temple’s sake at Jerusalem.
Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, *
and the peoples, a herd of wild bulls with its calves.
Trample down those who lust after silver; *
scatter the peoples that delight in war.
Let tribute be brought out of Egypt; *
let Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God.
Sing to God, O realms of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.
God rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *
God’s voice thunders forth, a mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God; *
whose majesty is over Israel;
whose strength is in the skies.
How wonderful is God in the holy places! *
the God of Israel giving strength and power to the chosen people!
Blessed be God!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE LESSONS
1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)

At that place Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” Then the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Canticle: Second Song of IsaiahQuaerite Dominum
Isaiah 55:6-11

Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; *
call upon him when he draws near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways *
and the evil ones their thoughts;
And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion, *
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, *
nor your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, *
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as rain and snow fall from the heavens *
and return not again, but water the earth,
Bringing forth life and giving growth, *
seed for sowing and bread for eating,
So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *
it will not return to me empty;
But it will accomplish that which I have purposed, *
and prosper in that for which I sent it.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:17-32 (NRSV)

Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Canticle: A Song to the LambDignus es
Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13

Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

John 6:15-27 (NRSV)

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

(The Lord be with you.And also with you.
Let us pray.)

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

The TEC Standing Commission, in charge of our calendar of saints, terms William Passavant a “prophetic witness,” but this American Lutheran pastor was someone Anglicans might think of as a “building bishop.” He was a parish minister based in western Pennsylvania, but he founded hospitals, orphanages and other charitable organizations from Boston and New York to Chicago and Milwaukee, many of which continue today. An internet search for his photo yields a few poor images of him, but lots of the works he left behind; above, an apartment complex for seniors in Milwaukee. He was also responsible for introducing the German deaconess movement to Lutherans in the United States, restoring that ancient and Biblical order of ministry. A prophet? He was a man of action who sought to meet human needs.

Collect of the Day: William Passavant, Prophetic Witness, 1894

Compassionate God, we thank you for William Passavant, who brought the German deaconess movement to America so that dedicated women might assist him in founding orphanages and hospitals for those in need and provide for the theological education of future ministers. Inspire us by his example, that we may be tireless to address the wants of all who are sick and friendless; through Jesus the divine Physician, who has prepared for us an eternal home, and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Friday Morning Prayer List

For Those Looking for Work
Those who’ve lost unemployment benefits or soon will

For the Homeless
military veterans
residents of tent cities and refugee camps
those living in shelters, motels, cars and on the streets

For Those Facing Danger & Oppression
All women and girls of the world
LGBTs in places of violence: Russia, Haiti, Montenegro, Jamaica, Uganda and throughout Africa; especially youth worldwide
Victims of human trafficking

For the Aged

Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Diocese of Abakaliki, Nigeria

Prayer for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14++

VIDEO: Go Tell It on the Mountain – Donna Brown and the Golden Gospel Pearls

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About Josh Thomas

This site offers daily Morning and Evening Prayer in the Anglican tradition according to the Book of Common Prayer of The Episcopal Church, based in the USA. Each service includes psalms, Bible lessons, and prayers.
The Daily Office Network consists of three sites: two in English (one timed for Asia-Pacific and the other for North & South America) and one in Spanish (Oficio Diario). We serve all the nations of the world.
We're glad you came and we invite your comments. May God bless you richly in our Savior Jesus Christ.

First, let me thank you for your ministry of the daily offices! I’ve been subscribing to your blogs for some time now and having the office readings pop into my inbox each day is both reassuring and remindful, especially on those hectic days when everything seems to be piling up, that taking time for prayer is essential!

I am a seminary student in the process of discernment for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church and a transexual woman. I love the recent addition of praying for LBGT(QI) people. The one thing I would ask is that rather than referring to us as “LGBT’s” that you would change it to “LGBT people.”

I do not like “labels” for people at all actually, but it is (for now anyways) a fact of life. In the somewhat deficient English language, taking a pronoun and turning it into a noun when describing people or a group of people tends turn people into something else, usually an amorphous group which can have dangerous consequences. It has the undesirable effect of dehumanizing people and making discrimination, and violence, easier to justify for some. An example would be “Jews” rather than Jewish people, “Homeless” rather than homeless people, “white” rather than white people.

In my case, when I am forced to choose a word to categorize my history as a person within the currently well-known choices of “LBGT” I have to choose Transgender, a word that is in and of itself a term that is used to describe a too wide variety of people who do not fit into the hetero-normitive and gender normative binary in our society. I use the word “transexual” (rather than “transsexual” which was a term forced upon people like myself by the medical profession) when having to describe my history or who I am as a woman (when having to makie a choice in the forced binary of male-female). I use it in a purely pronoun sense, as in Asian woman, white woman or American woman.

I realize the term “transgender” is difficult to “unpack” and a separate subject that needs much more discussion and education. That is not the purpose of this email. My purpose in writing is my belief that in our ministries, we must emphasize that people are people…human, created in God’s image and are, as all of God’s creation is, Holy.